Keithley Middle School to Receive Musical Instruments

Perry G. Keithley Middle School in Parkland will soon receive several musical instruments, thanks to The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation.

An application for support was submitted by Perry G. Keithley Middle School and the foundation found their program to be a worthwhile investment, allowing more students to be able to play and experience the benefits of music education.

The instruments will complement the new Keithley Commons, a building that opened in November 2014 which houses the school’s music programs.

“These instruments will reduce the barriers to access for students that may not be able to afford to rent or purchase instruments. I am very excited to see the band program at Perry G. Keithley Middle School reach more kids, introducing them to all the great benefits that music has to offer,” said Dr. Frank Hewins, Superintendent of Franklin Pierce Schools.

​“Learning music in school is a way to engage kids and give them something that makes them better students and better people,” said Felice Mancini, President & CEO of The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation. “They deserve every tool available to help them receive a quality education, and we want to insure that music is in that toolbox."

​Perry G. Keithley Middle School is a grade 6-8 public school in the Franklin Pierce School District. Located in Parkland, Perry G. Keithley Middle School’s 80 dedicated staff serve over 700 students. The school first opened in 1961, but recently the cafeteria was replaced with a new building called the Keithley Commons, which houses the new cafeteria, central kitchen, band and choir programs, a performing arts stage, and a technology lab. More information about the school and district can be found at www.fpschools.org.

​The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation donates new and refurbished musical instruments to under-served schools in an effort to give youngsters the many benefits of music education, help them to be better students and inspire creativity and expression through playing music. The organization was inspired by the 1995 motion picture Mr. Holland’s Opus and founded by Michael Kamen, who composed the music for the movie and countless others. In the last 16 years, over 15,000 new and refurbished instruments have been donated to over 1,300 schools across the country. More information can be found at www.mhopus.org.

Franklin Pierce Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to Dr. Shaun Carey, Compliance Coordinator for State and Civil Rights Laws; Wendy Malich, Title IX Officer; or William Rasplica, 504/ADA Coordinator at 315 129th ST S, Tacoma, WA 98444-5099 or at (253)298-3000.